Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Wu Assassins’ Celia Au

Actress Celia Au is kicking butt and taking names in her starring role as Ying Ying in Netflix’s Wu Assassins. Set in San Francisco’s Chinatown, Wu Assassins is an action-packed series that brings together martial arts, drama, and supernatural elements. It centers around Kai Jin (Iko Uwais), an unassuming chef who becomes the latest in a long line of assassins chosen to keep the mystical Wu powers out of the wrong hands. Celia’s character, Ying Ying, is there at Kai’s side to keep him on track. Pop Culturalist chatted with Celia about all things Wu Assassins.

Wu Assassins Questions

PC: Tell us about Wu Assassins and what drew you to this project.
Celia: Wu Assassins is a fantasy martial arts show set in present-day San Francisco. I was really interested in this project because it is something different than what we have currently on TV. Besides the martial arts aspect of the show, we also have great dramatic performances and strong female characters who can kick ass.

PC: It’s an action-packed series. How did you prepare to step into Ying Ying’s shoes?
Celia: I grew up watching Hong Kong and martial arts films, so I combined that and added my own twist to it. I made it different than how the character would be portrayed traditionally.

PC: How similar or different are you to your character?
Celia: I am definitely not a millennia-old, [laughs] but I do think that Ying Ying and I are similar in the sense that we work hard to accomplish our tasks and never give up.

PC: Ying Ying helps Kai Jin with his mission. What can you tease about their relationship and how it evolved throughout the series?
Celia: Ying Ying can be hard on Kai, but she knows that. That is the only way to keep him on track to complete his mission. You’ll have to catch the show to see how our relationship evolves. [laughs]

Career Questions

PC: How did you discover your passion for acting?
Celia: Acting is basically playing pretend while being able to make a living doing so. I always loved to pretend to be other people when I was growing up, but I never thought it was something that I could make a career out of until I quit my job as a graphic designer and pursued an acting career full-time.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Celia: My acting coach, Anthony Abeson, definitely taught me how to be a better actor and helped me develop my skills. Also, my mom because ever since she saw that acting was something that I was passionate about, she’s been fully behind me. She’s also my toughest critic and biggest cheerleader at the same time.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Celia: Friends

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Celia: Gremlins

PC: Favorite book?
Celia: The Little Prince

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Celia: Bridge and Tunnel

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Celia: Tim McGraw

PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Celia: Euphoria

PC: Hidden talent?
Celia: Cooking! I love it.

To keep up with Celia, follow her on Twitter and Instagram, and catch Wu Assassins on Netflix Today.

Photo Credit: Nick Onken // Hair: Corey Tuttle // Make-Up: Romana Makeup New York // Styling: Carolyn Son